If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

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Craft: Creative Beads

I live in London, UK... and love the creativity of all things creative. This one is one of many - the beadx

By Kavita from Austin, TX

Creative Beads

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Bailey (Min-Pin/Chihuahua)

Bailey is a 10 months old Min-Pin/Chihuahua. Bailey wasn't too interested in helping my daughter blow out her candles from her 18th birthday, he was going straight for the cake!

By Kara from St. Joseph, MI

Bailey (Min-Pin/Chihuahua)

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Craft: Gift Card Purse

I'm a rubber stamper/scrapper/paper crafter. This is a photo of one of my hand stamped "purse" and matching card. I usually make 6 cards for each "purse" and give them as gifts.

By Kathleen, aka StampinGran from Old Fort, NC

Gift Card Purse

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Craft: Aiden's Mother's Day Doorhanger

This started out as a door hanger he could make for his mom. Grandma's Idea: The door hanger would look cute with all these little hand and foot prints all over it. Aiden's Idea: All it really needs is two hands and two feet (after all, isn't that what we have?)

So, what you see is the finished project. Thought it would take us at least 20 minutes, took about 5 (most of which he spent peeling the backs off the hands/feet--he's two and a half). Materials were purchased at the dollar store, so the project is cheap, and can be cute, if looking for something for your kids.

By Marie from West Dundee, IL

Aiden's Mother's Day Gift: A Doorhanger

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Craft Project: Apple Card and Tag

This folded apple note card with a match gift tag is made from cardstocks in natural red, ivory, brown and green. Ideal to send as a birthday greeting for children or simply to say hello to a friend. You might also like to make a batch of these for gift-giving.

Apple Card and Tag

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Tip Contest
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These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

My Frugal Life
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Make A Hidden Litter Box

I have found a great idea for a hidden kitty litter box! Go to the nearest thrift store find a decent sized two drawer night stand. take top drawer out and cut the face of the drawer off. Glue or nail face back on to the front where drawer use to be.

Next, take kitty litter pan and cut it down to size so it will slide into bottom drawer.

Finally, cut a hole in the side of the night stand so your kitty can get in and out. You could put a little curtain on the outside of hole if you would like to.

Wa la! You have a nice hidden kitty litter box. When you change litter just pull bottom drawer out. That easy! Hope this can be useful for cat owners! It was for me!

Source: I found this idea off of HGTV (Design on a Dime).

By Emily from Erlanger, KY

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Calculate The Correct Withholding For Next Year's Taxes

Did you get a big refund or owe a big tax bill April 15th of this year? If so, now is the time to adjust the amount of taxes withheld from your paycheck. Ideally, you want to get your tax bill or refund as close to zero as possible. Having the wrong amount withheld from your paycheck can lead to costly personal-finance mistakes. Calculate the proper withholdings to avoid a large refund or payment to the IRS.

To figure out how many allowances to claim, use the IRS withholding calculator.

IRS Withholding Calculator

Make sure to have on hand your 2007 tax return and most recent paycheck stub. Once you answer a series of questions, the calculator gives specific directions on how to fill out a new W-4, even offering an estimated refund amount based on the number of exemptions it suggests. Set aside an hour to complete the calculator.

Source: Hard to believe it but the INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS)

By Diana from Prospect, KY

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Display Children's Artwork And Replace Weekly

When my kids start back to school, artwork and other papers become numerous, so I thought of a neat way to give good papers and artwork a moment of praise. I bought a simple large frame from a thrift store. I bought one for each child. Every day when they get home they put the papers they are most proud of in a folder on my desk, at the end of the week, they select the one they like the best and want displayed in the frame for the week. We then take the new paper and replace the one from the week before inside the frame. It cuts down on the clutter of the fridge, and makes them feel important to have it displayed like it is.

By Shellebell from Omaha, Nebraska

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Use Hot Glue To Save Soles

Save the heels of your family's new shoes from running down by doing this tip: turn shoe upside down with bottom of heel facing you. Using a hot glue gun, apply a thin coating of glue along the outline of the heel, then a couple of squiggly lines within the center of the outline to even out the surface. Let cool a bit and give warm glue a little tap with your thumb to flatten a bit. Allow to cool and set completely before wearing. The ground you tread upon will wear away the glue before it wears away your shoe. Try it. Tip: May reapply as needed.

By sbb1 from Umm al Quain, UAE

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Copper from Old TV Cords

Last week someone left a nice big TV our building's garbage area with note on it saying it works great, just needs a remote. I carried it home, only to find that the power cord had been cut off. The TV had been there less than an hour. In the past year I have seen many electrical devices with the cord cut off. I always assumed that meant they didn't work.

I've since been told by two people that the cords are cut off to sell the copper. I found on the internet that the price of copper has gone up a lot in the past year.

So if you've seen cords cut off appliances lately, that explains it. You might want to advertise any old appliances that you think someone could use rather than leaving them around where their cords are likely to be cut off. And if the appliance is really dead, you might want to cut the cord off to reclaim the copper.

By Karen from Toronto, ON

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Vanilla for Fishy Smell in Cooler

My tip is how to get a fishy smell out of a cooler. I wash it out first with very hot soapy water and rinse well. Then I take a small lid and put about 2-3 teaspoons of vanilla in it. Place in the cooler and leave closed for a couple of days then just rinse and your cooler won't smell like fish anymore.

By Winketta from Portageville, NY

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Write Your Name on Customer's Napkin

I am very bad at remembering what my wait person's name is at restaurants. Recently when at a restaurant, I noticed after the waiter placed my soda on the table, that he had printed his name on the paper drink napkin. What a great idea! Even though he didn't know it, he received a larger tip just for doing that.

So if there are any of that work in food service, this little tip can help us mostly clueless customers out so much. So thanks to Justin at the Cadillac Ranch Restaurant in Cincinnati for this great tip! By the way, I had an excellent lunch there two weeks ago AND I still remember his name.

Source: A great and very attentive waiter, Justin in Cincinnati.

By Gardencraft from New Hampshire

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Make Your Own Model Railroad Structures

This is one for all you model railroad fans. My husband takes and makes his own structures (businesses, houses, etc.) out of cardboard. He saves tons of money that way. If you look at the catalogs for buying model railroad structures, they can run into pretty big bucks. He just designs his own out of cardboard and sometimes toilet paper rolls. Cheap but they look fine once he has painted and added windows, doors and other things to them.

By Debradj from Illinois

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Use Plastic Containers for Dollhouse Pools

Take the plastic containers that come ready to eat with chips and salsa and clean it out. These make excellent swimming pools for your miniature house layouts. Usually they come in black but you can paint them to resemble a swimming pool. Great recycle project

By Cheryl from Montesano, WA

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Use Mayo When Making Grilled Cheese Instead Of Butter

If you like grilled cheese or your kids ask for them, try using mayonnaise on the outer sides of the bread instead of butter or oleo. Grill as usual, and the taste is so much better. I use Hellmans.

By Donna from Belle Vernon, PA

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Dear Webby's Joke of the Day

An investment counselor decided to go out on her own. Business kept coming in, and pretty soon she realized that she needed an in-house counsel. She began to interview young lawyers.

"As I'm sure you can understand," she started off with one of the first applicants, "in a business like this, our personal integrity must be beyond question."

She leaned forward. "Mr. Peterson, are you an honest lawyer?"

"Honest?" replied the job prospect. "Let me tell you something about honest. Why, I'm so honest that my father lent me $15,000 for my education, and I paid back every penny the minute I finished my very first case."

"Impressive. And what sort of case was that?"

The lawyer squirmed in his seat and admitted,

"He sued me for the money."

Read More Jokes Here: http://webby.com/humor

When Should We Trim Our Japanese Maple?

We have a 30 year old beautiful Japanese Red Maple tree in our front yard that is getting way too tall and wide. It is getting near wires and hitting the house. When is the best time to cut it back and give it a good trim and shaping? Thanks.

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Jan from Long Island, NY

When Should We Trim Our Japanese Maple?

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Rottweiler's Mysterious Death

We gave our Rottie away to a loving home due to us moving to Germany soon. In the 10 days she was there, she was consistently vomiting, didn't eat much, would drink a lot and then she started drinking nothing at all and she would just lay on her bed and urinate on herself. We picked her up from the people as we did not want her to be a burden. We thought that maybe it was just depression and stress. She was walking like she was drunk, bumping into things, failing to really stand on her own.

I left for PT this morning and came home at 0640 to find my wife cleaning up after her. She had a full bowel evacuation mixed with blood and didn't even move, she just laid there and did it. She had shallow breaths after that and while I was getting ready so that we could take her to the vet, she died. Has anyone else ever had anything like this happen to their dog? We find it puzzling because when we gave her away to this family, she was the picture of health. I am just wondering what might of happened. If anyone can tell me, that would be great.

Bryan from Ft Leonard Wood, MO

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Antibacterial Cleaner for a Dog Kennel

My 5 month old pup is in an outdoor kennel during the day. The ground cover is pea gravel. I clean up everyday, but was wondering if there was a home made antibacterial I could sprinkle or spray on weekly? Or any other suggestions to keep away unwanted bugs and flies?

Annie from Severance, CO

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Getting Vaseline Off a Couch

Does anyone know how to get Vaseline (petroleum jelly) off of fabric couch? I got some on my couch, and then when I tried to use soapy dish soap to get it out (which is what I have used in the past for "stuff" on the couch) all it did was make a water mark with the Vaseline spot still there. Help!

Theresa from Mt. Olive, NC

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Using Dairy Cream On Skin

Some one recently recommended fresh dairy cream as a treatment to get rid of pitting on the skin like from blemishes. Where would you buy 'fresh' dairy cream? What is dairy cream? I live in Houston, Texas, USA and if there is an equivalent of 'fresh dairy cream' I'd love to know about it.

smoochie

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Advice About Renting Rooms In My House

I am looking for advice about renting rooms in my house. What is your experience? What do you charge for rent? Where do you stand with meals and laundry? Is this an option in your experience?

Sheila from Ont, Canada

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Low Protein Dog Food Recipes

I need low protein dog food recipes for a dog with kidney failure. I appreciate the help, my neighbor cannot keep paying the price for the dog food from the vet. Thanks in advance.

Susan from Hamilton, Ont

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Getting Detergent Stains Out Of Clothing

My 12-year daughter is about to ruin all of her clothes by pouring detergent directly onto to them when starting a load of clothes. How do you get those blue streaks out? Help!

Pearl from Gaithersburg, MD

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Graduation Party Ideas: Elementary Education Major

I will be graduating from college next year (I like to plan early). I am a non-traditional student and majoring in elementary education. I am trying to come up with ideas for my graduation party to help my husband. I don't like the normal grad party decorations from party supply stores.

I would like to maybe decorate with things I could use in my classroom later (why use decorations that will be thrown away?) I'm not sure what grade I will be teaching yet. I need help with ideas that are UNIQUE and not too cheesy! We may do a BBQ, but since it will be early May, that's not for sure.

K.H. from Missouri

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Discontinued Wallpaper Border: Home Trends Sports

I just need about 12 Ft. more of the Home Trends Sports border to finish my sons room! It has football, baseball, soccer ball and basket ball with a denim looking back ground. If anyone knows how or where I could get more please let me know! Thanks.

Melissa from Connersville, IN

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Getting Rid Of Musty Smell In Washing Machine

How do I get rid of a musty smell in my washing machine?

Julie from Cape Cod, MA

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Looking for Recipes for Baked Chicken

Does anyone have a delicious recipe for baked chicken? I am trying to force myself to eat baked chicken for health reasons but I can't seem to find the right seasoning to give it a good flavor. I use salt, pepper, and garlic powder on chicken parts, cover with foil and bake for 30-40 mins. Do you have a better way of preparing it?

Onesummer

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Looking for a Fabric Supplier

I make boys post-training pants, or they may be called a first underwear. I purchase my fabric from local retailers in my area and the choices in fabric for boys briefs are limited. I am hoping to find a fabric mill, or a supplier that I can purchase from directly.

I have been using white cotton knit fabric. I also need a supplier for the waistbands. The choices in waistband styles are limited as well. My product design also requires the use of Velcro. So a good Velcro supplier would be helpful to know about and I am wanting some customized care labels. They can be the stick on labels that lay flat on the briefs preferably. Yet, I am open to others choices as well.

Mary from Florence, Kentucky

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Ideas for a Going Away Party

I have a friend who is moving about 100 miles away to another city with her son and husband of 1 year. We are throwing her a surprise going-away party and I would love some ideas for decorations, party favors, etc. for this type of party. Please help! Thanks in advance.

Crystal from CA

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Refinishing a Wood Hope Chest

I have my mom's Hope Chest from 1942. The inside is cedar; the outside is a very thin layer of veneer over some type of wood. It's in pretty bad shape. I was wondering if I could buy some of that thin veneer, glue it over the four sides, then make a tapestry lid and end up with a coffee-table looking thing (extra storage). I would have to buy four short/squat legs and somehow finish the corners of the veneer after I get that glued on. Does anyone know where I could buy thin veneer?

Carolyn from Shreveport, Louisiana

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Trouble With Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower

I have a 4.5 Hp Briggs and Stratton Engine on my lawn mower. It's only 2 years old but has never really run properly. It starts fine but then runs sporadicly. It's almost like there is a carburetor issue as it idles up and down. What can I do about it?

Ham Bone from Denver, CO

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Package To Keep Hard Boiled Egg From Cracking

I have to make a package/container from recycled materials to contain a hard boiled egg which will be dropped off a metre high wall and the egg inside must not crack?

Penny from Sydney, NSW

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Looking For Baby Quilt Pattern: Mice And Mushroom House

I am looking for a baby quilt pattern. It was of two lady mice and a mushroom house.
I believe it was in an old copy of McCall's needlework and Crafts. Does anyone have it or know where it can be found on internet? Thanks.

Karen from Red Oak, OK

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Removing Moth Ball Smell from a Car

I can't get the moth ball smell out of my car! I have pretty much tried everything to take out the smell. I left my car outside with the windows down, the sunroof open, and the doors open for about a week straight. (I had to borrow my dad's vehicle during this time.) That did not do a single thing. I then sprayed 2 bottles of Lysol (the 99% one), a whole container of Febreeze, broke a few bottles (on purpose) of perfume in the car, and still the smell was there. The other smells couldn't even be detected over the moth ball odor.

I then took several of the Sam's Club size boxes of baking soda and poured it on the floors, vacuumed it out, and repeated it 5 times. I also took a box of odor diminisher and did the same with that. I have leather seats in my car so I thoroughly cleaned the seats, the windows and the counsel. I have taken a whole box of fabric softeners sheets and spread them throughout the car. I have air fresheners that are plugged in to the cigarette lighters, and on every single one of the air vents.

I have also taken a rug shampooing vacuum, used a pet odor shampoo in it, and shampooed my car twice from the floors to the ceilings. I have gone to several detailing shops and all have said that they don't know what to do about it. One man suggested a bottle of heavy duty stain remover, and of course that didn't work either. I have also tried coffee, lemons, and vanilla. After all of these different techniques NOTHING has seemed to work! With all of the different smells I have put in my car the only thing that you can smell are moth balls. What do I do?

Samantha from Michigan

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Getting More Water In Toilet Tank

How do you adjust your toilet so that there could be more water to fill in the toilet tank? I've tried adding more water but it's not filling up that same amount. Right now there's barely any water in there to flush. Please help!

Bridget from AZ

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Suggestions For Dealing With Sleep Apnea

I have Sleep Apnea. I use a CPAP machine every night, but I think I still snore. I wake up talking and I hear myself, so I think I am snoring. Do you have any ideas for how I can sleep better. I don't have money to buy a new mask but that is really what I need. I already keep a window open. I am not hot or cold. My back hurts though through the night and that is because I am overweight. Thank you.

Sandy from Baltimore, MD

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How Long Will Pumpkin Puree Last In Fridge?

How long will pumpkin puree last in the fridge?

Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH

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What is Worm Tea?

What is worm tea? And how do you make it?

Step from Cottonwood CA

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Kittens Eye Only Half Open

We have five 3 week old kittens. All have opened their eyes, except one eye on one kitten is only half open. It appears healthy and is clear and clean. Should we worry?

Kent from SE Michigan

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Using Ham Glaze

What can you do with the honey glaze that comes with a ham? I don't like it on a ham but hate to just throw it away. There has to be a good use for it.

Ann from Climax, NC

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Is This Larkspur?

I planted larkspur from seed last year, this year I have a carpet of what I think is larkspur near the original planting. The plant is about 4 inches tall and each has a cluster of 3 spiked leaves. Is this Larkspur?

Hardiness Zone: 7a

Barbara from Pennsylvania

Is This Larkspur?

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Getting Rid of Rotten Food Smell

We just bought a house and just realized that the ice box was unplugged. As I opened it I saw and smelled hell on earth! I plugged it back in because there is over three inches of rotten chicken, beef, fish, turkey, pork, cheese, and blood. Some how the smell got in my mouth and its all over my house. Should I unplug it or keep it plugged in to get this smell out of my house?

Philly from Vegas, NV

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Looking for Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe

I am looking for a delicious stuffed bell pepper recipe, a little different from all the rest. Does anyone have one?

Sabrina from Council, N.C.

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Removing Kool-aid Stains from Clothing

Does anyone know how to get red kool-aid out of kids clothes? I even called the company and they have no idea. This is a powder drink that you can add your own amount of sugar and water to make freeze pops or juice for the summertime.

It is an inexpensive drink for the summer; but be careful what clothes they wear or use sipper cups for the small children. I have lost many tops because of the kool-aid stains. Any ideas, please post and I'll be glad to try. Thank you for taking the time to reply to this post.

Cecilia from Delaware

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Looking for an Old Friend

I want to find an old friend. Do you have any suggestions on how to do this?

Tiffany from Fries, Virginia

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Beauty Savings
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

On a routine trip to restock my medicine cabinet, I realized how much beauty products can cost. Just the basics like hair care, moisturizers, and cleaners can cost a small fortune. Instead, I experimented with some other alternatives to my usual products as well as alternative places to buy them.

Lifelock Has Some Problems
By Susan Sanders-Kinzel

Have you heard the commercials for LifeLock where Todd Davis announces his Social Security number or seen the print ads? I'd cringe every time I heard one fearing that was a frightening thing to do in this day and age. Well, his service evidently didn't catch a lot of people trying to steal his identity.

Lifelock Has Some Problems

Castor Oil and Pain Relief

Call it what you wish, Voodoo or Witchcraft - but it DID WORK for me. Having recently torn the cartilage in my left knee and also been diagnosed with Arthritis in the same, I was doing some Web searching for magical pain relief remedies.

Decorating Old Wooden Windows

"I need some ideas on decorating old wooden windows, for inside and outside use." Advice as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas here!

Reusing Old Wooden Windows

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Daily Thrifty Tips - May 22, 2008

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